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Comment by rdgthree | Hacker News Reader

I expected this response, but I'm not defending or attacking police. This article mischaracterizes it's own contents and implies something more sinister and objectively false in the title.

This article is not about the institution as a greater whole. It's not about the bigger picture. It's about the Memphis PD. That's what's on the table here, and that's what the title should make clear.

Sensationalism is the concern, not criticism of police.

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You're missing the greater picture because you seem to be ignoring the context in which the article itself was published. Which is that we're seeing a large amount of violence being committed by police across the US, including other instances of police tracking down people who record them on social media in cities like Seattle.

The article is about her experience with the local PD, yes. The context of the title relates to the here and now which is a data point in the greater picture of how the police in general behave. It's only sensationalism if you ignore everything else going on around us.

I don't agree that it's fair to imply that all police have been spying on black reporters and activists for years without providing any evidence for that claim because of the here and now.

I think I understand what you're aiming at. I think I would agree with you if the title wasn't so rigid, but it feels to me like a significant claim that extends beyond the here and now reality.

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